Silent auction will benefit Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force

Amy Nack, a Boise printmaker, teacher and owner of Wingtip Press, was cleaning out some flat files stuffed with prints some years ago. She wondered what to do with all the “leftover” work when it occurred to her that there might be other printmakers with overflowing files looking to free up some space. There were. What started as a small art exchange among friends grew into an annual charitable event. Now, hundreds of artists from around the world donate their prints to the “Leftovers” silent print auction. All proceeds benefit the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force, a local nonprofit working on food system reform.

Wingtip, named for the shoe style favored by Nack’s father, hosts “Leftovers VI,” from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at MING Studios, 420 S. 6th St. in Boise. The evening will include free food, beer and wine and music by Joseph Lyle. The auction closes at 10 p.m. You do not have to be present at the end of the silent auction to have the winning bid.

‘Habitat’ for sale

No better way to build your own Idaho native plant garden than to shop the annual Idaho Native Plant Sale hosted by the Idaho Native Plant Society Pahove Chapter. The sale is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the MK Nature Center, 600 S. Walnut St. Society members can come to a special members-only sale from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 22 (if your membership has lapsed, you can renew it at the sale). Proceeds benefit the society and the Nature Center. The natives you plant benefit pollinators, birds and wildlife.

Explore where you live.

A new shelter for the Women’s And Children’s Alliance

The WCA celebrated the groundbreaking for a new shelter on April 7. The organization is not publicizing the location of the new shelter for the safety of future residents, but it will consist of 16 transitional units as well as office and storage space. There will be eight units per floor with shared living room, dining, laundry and kitchen facilities (with a double set of appliances). ADA (compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act) units will be available as well. A major capital campaign to raise $1.8 million began in 2015. Funding for the project is nearly complete, with just over $150,000 left to raise. Partners in the project include: Gardner Company; Engineered Structures, Inc.; Babcock Architects and many corporate organizations.

Volunteers needed for garden prep on April 24

The Ethiopian and Eritrean Community Development Project, a nonprofit organization in the Boise area, helps refugees with integration, education and broader community volunteerism. The group seeks volunteers willing to help prepare the soil in its garden plot at 21st and Jefferson Streets, next to the Salvation Army in Boise.

The garden is used to grow produce that’s distributed to resettlement agencies for refugee families and other families in need., as well as broader community members. Gardeners will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 (weather permitting), at the garden (21st and Jefferson). Work will including pulling weeds, tilling soil, planting, composting and cleanup. If you have some time to help, show up then and bring your own rake, shovel, gloves, gardening hoe, etc. The group will supply free music and food provided by Kibrom’s Restaurant.

Earth Day at Hawthorne Elementary

The elementary school on the Boise Bench is the City of Boise’s Arbor Day School and will celebrate its new walking path on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. Boise Mayor Dave Bieter will visit the school for the festivities from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. The school has benefited from grants from the city’s Reinvestment Grant Fund, Boise Urban Garden School, Whole Foods Boise and the Whole Kids Foundation.

The school invites the public to celebrate the school garden and new trees, as well as the new path, and learn more about backyard chickens, worm composting, seed planting, art projects, healthy snacks and local honeybees. The event will include more than 25 interactive booths inside and outside to help beautify the school, teach us about our food sources and help us further appreciate our native environment.

Museum of Mining and Geology honors volunteer Shirley Ewing

The gift shop at the Museum of Mining and Geology has a new name: the Shirley Ewing Gift Shop. Ewing has given her time and talents to the museum for more than 12 years, serving as a board member, museum manager and other roles.

The board presented Ewing with a special proclamation and appreciation for her work, and unveiled the new shop sign at a recent celebration. Ewing is the daughter of museum founder Bill Ewing.